(Seen from Touma's perspective)
Touma walked down the hospitals empty hallways with crutches under his arms. Surprisingly, his injuries were all almost healed again. Even Heaven canceller had never seen such fast regenerative power before, which actually made sense to Touma after everything he had survived. Index was currently staying at Komoe's place, mostly because she got bored all he time, and was about to starve to death, so therefore it was better that way. Touma was heading towards a certain esper's room. Earlier: You've heard the rumors? One of them asked. Yeah, apparently, a girl got attacked by some electricity or something like that. No way! The other girl said. ! . Touma stopped without any of them realizing he was even there. You think it was "her?" A girl asked. Misaka… Touma thought closing his eyes. Then he just walked towards her room, as he suddenly saw something weird. Anti-skill? He thought, finally reaching his destination. The two officers noticed him. Sorry kid, no one's allowed to enter, he said. ? . Why not? Touma asked harshly. The officer looked him in the eyes. Look kid, the room you're about to enter holds a very dangerous patient. We're just doing our job here, making sure you don't get hurt, he said. Touma tightened his grip around his crutches. Dangerous? He thought, staring he officer into the eyes.
It's alright. You can let him in, a voice suddenly said, interrupting. ? . Everybody stared at he voice's owner, as a certain gekota faced doctor arrived. The officer looked at him for a second, and then sighed, as the pulled out a little remote and clicked a button. A second after, the door opened. Thanks, Touma said to the doctor, as he entered the room with a serious expression on his face, as the door closed behind him. The room was very light. Beside the bed and hospital equipment he room was completely empty. Misaka was sitting up in her bed looking out of he bed, with her arms wrapped up completely in bandages. For a second, Touma just looked at her. Tell me… Misaka's voice suddenly said. Touma looked at her. She seemed to clench her fists. How long has it been… since that day, Misaka said slowly looking at Touma. ! . Touma instantly saw something was different about her. Her eyes seemed… no, sad couldn't describe it. It was like those eyes… those eyes that were normally so full of life had been drained, and then died over and over again. It was like her sisters… though, they didn't look naturally emotionless like theirs… Touma knew what she was thinking.
I can't answer your question…. I know you're blaming yourself for what happened, but it really isn't your fault at all, Touma said clenching his fists. Misaka closed her eyes, still looking emotionless. Answer my question: How long has it been… since the day you told me to rely on others…. the day you saved me from myself? Misaka asked, slowly opening her eyes. Touma didn't answer, making Misaka smile sadly and then look away again. Thought so…. It's been long huh? Things have changed, no doubt about that...Misaka said, staring out of the window. Touma looked at her, still clenching his fists. And so what? How long it's been doesn't mean a single thing. My feelings haven't changed, Touma said. Misaka's expression still didn't change, as a sad smile suddenly appeared on her face. You say that now…even so, your words mean nothing as long you can't keep your promises, Misaka said, staring him in the eyes. Touma tightened his already tight grip around his crutches, still staring directly at her.
You're right…. I couldn't keep my promise because i was to darn weak…. I couldn't help you back then. I'm sorry, that was my fault. You couldn't control what you did… Nobody blames you for it, Touma said. Misaka still smiled sadly. Well… that's were you're wrong, Misaka said. Lately, I've been having these weird visions from all around the city. People all around talk about what happened… they fear me, she said sadly. Visions?. This is gonna be tough… Touma thought still not changing his serious facial expression. Misaka still smiled sadly, as she stared into the bed sheet. It's kinda funny…. A couple days ago, I was known as the Railgun, the ace of tokiwadai…. People have always looked up to me… used me as an example of what hard work can do, Misaka said, clenching her fists. Eventually, everybody began to see me like that… This city's 3rd ranked level 5, the most sane out of all the level 5s…. With a reputation like that, people were bound to get jealous eventually… all those people… those who despise me that time knew something like this would happen one day. I've never cared about any of that stuff…. It doesn't matter if people think I'm good or bad right? As long as I'm still alive, there will still be people trying to use me in order to hurt others… that's just the way it is… it's how people see me, Misaka said. That's not true, Touma said, making Misaka look up at him. It's true that there are bad people who want to use you… as this point there's no denying it anymore. However, not everybody see you like that. You friends… Shirai, Uriharu… all of them worry about you.
They all put their lives on the line trying to save you from Aiko. You can ask every single one of them, and they'd all agree to do again if necessary. Touma slowly walked closer to Misaka who's facial expression finally had changed. You're not alone in this. There's people all around you who'd never think things like that…. People who'd do anything in order to protect you…. Touma said. Misaka didn't respond, however, her facial expression showed that something was wrong. She clenched her teeth. How…. How can you say that after everything I've done? I hate this…. Why am I so damn powerless? I couldn't do anything… Because of me, half the city's gone! Misaka yelled with a broken voice. Tears started appearing in her eyes. Touma finally loosened his grip. That's not true… It's not that you're powerless… the only reason people want to protect you is because of they see you as the person you are…. in their eyes, you're not just the 3rd ranked level 5, the ace of Tokiwadai… They see you as Mikoto Misaka, their friend who'd they'd protect at all cost, Touma said, looking at her again. Misaka didn't say anything. She looked into the bed sheets again, as the sad expression turned back into her previous emotionless one.
(Seen from a certain scientist's perspective)
Aiko was currently standing in front of his biggest creation ever. The system. It wouldn't be long until they were finally put to use. However, at the moment, only one of the 12 people were interesting. His eyes were locked on the little girl in front of him. Ahmya Teitoku… heh, to think, that you of all people are strong enough to break through my barrier. Well, it doesn't matter anymore… Aiko thought smiling. Soon… nobody in this city is gonna stop my plan… not Kakine, Accelerator or Imagine breaker…. and most certainly not Railgun, since she won't be around for much longer…. Aiko thought as somebody walked out of the shadows. You're finally here. What took you so long? Aiko asked, looking at he girl standing in front of her. Sorry… I ran into some trouble and got myself caught by Anti-skill. It was easy enough to break free again, but I'm not back up to full power yet, she said. Aiko didn't seem to mind. Well it doesn't matter… You'll have plenty of time to dispose of her…. Akari, Aiko said, smiling again, as he walked over to the tubes again. Now…. let the first phase of my plan begin, he thought with a crazy sounding voice.
(Back to the hospital)
Neither Touma or Misaka was saying anything. It isn't because any of them didn't have anything to say… both of them just knew silence was the best answer right now. Touma still looked at Misaka who hadn't moved in two minutes. You know what I'm thinking, don't you? Touma asked. Misaka didn't answer. Touma looked at her a couple seconds before turning around. Listen Misaka… I know you have every right to blame yourself for what happened, but there are people all around you who've already forgiven you… no, people who never even blamed you for it in he first place, Touma said, still not turning around. Misaka still didn't say anything. Suddenly, right as Touma was about to leave, a very strange feeling hit Misaka. It came almost as a chock, like somebody had just scared her. What… is this feeling? Misaka thought. I suddenly feel like… I'm forgetting something, Misaka thought, finally looking up at Touma who didn't seem to have noticed anything. Did he feel it too? Misaka thought, staring at Touma. Touma then suddenly left without another word. Misaka stared at the door a couple of seconds after he had left, as a sad expression suddenly appeared on her face. She laid down again, and stared into the ceiling trying to understand what had just happened. What in the worlds going on? Misaka asked.
(In another room)
Uriharu stared at her new friend. He was leaning up against a wall in her hospital room, while Saten was standing only a meter away away from him. I see… so Aiko's really back, she said with a sad voice. Saten looked sadly into the ground, as Junko looked up at both of them. Sorry for asking, but what is your relation with this Aiko guy anyway? Junko asked. Uriharu looked at him. It's complicated… she said, obviously not wanting to remember what happened. Saten stared at Junko. She still couldn't forget what he had said…. Flashback: Junko stood completely still, looking really pissed off, breathing really hard. Saten stared at him, as she felt he warmth from before return into her cheeks. Suddenly, Junko's expression changed. He seemed like he couldn't believe what he had just done. Suddenly, he just dropped the gun and ran right towards Saten. Then, he did something she would never expect him to. He ran up and hugged her. Saten… I was so scared…. so scared those men would actually kill you. I… I didn't know what else to do, and then my body just moved on it's own…. Junko said, with an almost broken voice. Sa
Saten was speechless. Her heart was beating faster than it had ever done before. Then, Junko stepped back a couple of steps, and looked her in he eyes. A shiver ran down her spine as she saw those beautiful blue eyes again. Saten… please… promise me you'll never do something so reckless again, Junko said, pulling Saten into another hug. Saten couldn't move… she didn't want to. And then, finally she hugged him back. Tears appeared in both of their eyes. Promise… Saten then finally said. End of flashback. She couldn't believe he had really hugged her. There was a silence for a couple seconds. Then, just as Saten was about to say something, a very weird feeling hit all three of them. All of them seemed to notice he others weird reaction. Did you… Saten asked. Feel that? Uriharu finished. All three of them nodded.
What is this feeling? It's like… I just forgot something really important, Junko said. The two girls stared at him, feeling the exact same way.
(Seen from Jenny's perspective)
Jenny was sitting curled up into a ball on her dirty bed. Last order was walking around in their little cell, obviously not getting he sichuation. What to do… asks Misaka Misaka, trying to get her friends attention, Last order said. Jenny didn't say anything, nor did she move. She had been like that ever since Aiko was done explaining. What should she do? She finally understood the reason why her parents had done everything they did. Yet still, that didn't really explain everything Aiko was about to do. She should probably try to warn somebody…. the ability navigating handcuffs were gone, so it wasn't because she couldn't do it. However, something was holding her back… Something only Jenny would understand. Last order walked back and forth. There must be something we can do, says Misaka Misaka, thinking about her current situation, Last order said. Jenny still didn't look up… she didn't even listen to what Last order was saying. Last order stopped and looked at Jenny. You don't seem to be listening to Misaka Misaka. You know, that's very rude of you, says Misaka Misaka admitting her true feelings, Last order said. Jenny still didn't respond… she didn't even move.
Last order walked towards her. Are you ok? You haven't spoken or moved for he past two hours, says Misaka Misaka concerned about her friend, Last order said. Jenny didn't answer her. For a couple seconds there was silence. Last order was looking at Jenny, who probably was pretending Last order wasn't even there. Fine! If you're gonna be rude to Misaka Misaka, then Misaka Misaka won't talk to you either! Says Misaka Misaka mad about her friends rube behavior! Last order said, crossing her arms. Jenny still didn't seem to care. She seemed like she had already given up. Last order turned her back at Jenny. Please… Jenny suddenly said with a totally broken voice. Please… leave me alone, Jenny said, sounding like she started to cry. Last order looked at her, as her expression suddenly changed. She seemed sad. Her crossed arms fell down her sides. She looked away again. There was silence for a couple seconds, and when Last order spoke again, she sounded completely different: I'm sorry for being so annoying… I don't want to annoy anyone…
I'm just certain… yelling is the only option I have… or else, nobody is ever gonna notice me. I like being a child… yet I know how it feels to be used because I'm special…. It's not like I want to get scolded… It's just the only way for somebody to acknowledge me. Because I'm the control tower of the Misaka network, I can't get esper powers myself… Yet still, people are after me, because I'm special… Last order said, sounding just as broken as Jenny. She slowly looked up. Her eyes seemed as emotionless as the Misaka sisters. Being used because you're special, huh? She said, finally looking up at Last order. Yeah… I'm lucky I have a friend who always protects me. He's so strong... and he's saved me an awfully lot of times, Last order said. That's how it is being weak… you always need to rely on others, who need to help you, even though you most of the time just want to do everything by yourself… Jenny said. None of the two girls looked at one another. Both them knew how the other person felt. Two little girls… caught up in he same fate. This was the beginning to a very good friendship.